Costa Mesa beats Loara to eclipse last year’s win total just three games into the season

If the Costa Mesa High football team was hoping to use Loara as a barometer for how it would fare against archrival Estancia next month, the Mustangs should be pleased with the results.

The Saxons had opened the season Aug. 31 with a comfortable victory against the Eagles, but on Friday, they had no such luck against Costa Mesa, which won the nonleague game 24-20 on the road.

“We prepared for this. We work hard,” said Costa Mesa coach Glen Fisher, whose team improved to 2-1 on the year and has already eclipsed last year’s win total. “We didn’t really have a sense of urgency, we just had a sense of confidence.”

After Loara’s Aldo Violante opened the game’s scoring with a 5-yard run, the Mustangs quickly answered behind the rushing of Chris Romero, who finished with 69 rushing yards. Romero’s work on the ground paved the way for Ben Swanson to score on a quarterback sneak to tie the game.

A field goal by Costa Mesa’s Wally Oimedo was answered by a 3-yard touchdown run by Loara quarterback Mike Blackney, as the Mustangs entered halftime trailing 14-10.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Mustangs regained the lead early in the fourth on an 18-yard touchdown scamper by Swanson.

Swanson then connected with Romero on a 15-yard touchdown, and suddenly Costa Mesa was firmly in control, leading 24-14. Swanson finished with 210 yards through the air.

“There’s no magic formula here,” Fisher said. “After three years, here they are starting to believe.”

Loara made things interesting with another Blackney touchdown run with 2:01 remaining, but Costa Mesa was able to hang on and goes into next week’s Sept. 14 contest against Los Amigos with momentum on its side.

“No one is even thinking about Estancia yet,” Fisher said when asked if this was a positive omen for his team’s in the Battle for the Bell, which will be held Oct. 20. “We are thinking about next week.”

Costa Mesa 24, Loara 20

Loara…..…….7 7 0 6 — 20

Costa Mesa…7 3 0 14 — 24

FIRST QUARTER

Loara — Violante, 5 run, 6:22

Costa Mesa — Swanson 1 run, 3:46

SECOND QUARTER

Costa Mesa — Oimedo field goal, 9:33

Loara — Blackney 3 run, 5:54

FOURTH QUARTER

Costa Mesa — Swanson 18 run, 10:22

Costa Mesa — Swanson 15 pass to Romero, 3:15

Loara — Blackney 5 run, 2:01

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Loara — Mendoza 170 yards

CM — Romero 69 yards

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Loara – Blackney 291 yards

CM — Swanson 210 yards

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Loara — Perkins 72 yards

CM – Muir 50 yards

AMY KAPLAN is a contributor to Times Community News. Follow her on Twitter: @PhotoAmy33